A few people have sent this in asking for my thoughts. If you haven’t heard already, Steve Harvey announced Miss Colombia as the winner of the 2015 Miss Universe pageant. Except, she was actually only the runner up with the real winner being Miss Philippines.
They even gave her the bouquet and crown. Oops.
This was a pretty bad screw-up. Steve Harvey’s getting enough heat as it is, so I’m not here to pile any more on top of what he’s already done.
What I want to do, however, is point out the problem with relying on notes, notecards, and teleprompters in general– and why something like this can happen.
I think the meme going around about “Steve Harvey, you had one job!” fail to realize that he probably thought the exact same.
Cards and cues are supposed to make it easier on you. There’s going to be very few speeches where you should actually memorize every single thing you’re going to say– down to the exact words, pauses, and intonations.
But that’s the point: ease of mind and support. You still have to be mindful. Reading a card doesn’t give you permission to turn your brain off and coast on auto-pilot.
After MC’ing the event, I have no doubt he suffered some fatigue. But he turned off his mind and blanked at the moment he should’ve been the most aware and careful. And sadly, the result is diminishing a huge moment for both Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines.
Kudos to both contestants for not throwing a fit.
The Conversation Coach 
Could happen to anybody. I think the Internet is just having fun tearing up Steve Harvey. You’re right, though–ain’t time for autopilot until the job is done.
Aye– I’m just glad he didn’t try to excuse himself that way. He owned up to it. I saw some articles floating around at how the announcement card itself was flawed. But even if that’s the case, I think he was just off at that point.